Blog

• KHN: Time to Say Goodbye to Some Insurers’ Waivers for Covid Treatment Fees

  April 26, 2021: Just as other industries are rolling back some consumer-friendly changes made early in the pandemic — think empty middle seats on airplanes — so, too, are health insurers. Many voluntarily waived  all deductibles, copayments and other costs f...Read more >

• News: Sen. Romney, Rep. Gallagher Re-Introduce the TRUST Act

  April 26, 2021: On Wednesday, Sen. Mitt Romney (UT) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI) introduced the “Time to Rescue United States’ Trusts” (TRUST) Act as stand alone bills in the U.S. Senate and House (S.1295 and H.R. 2575), reviving a threat to the retirement sec...Read more >

• KHN: From Rotten Teeth to Advanced Cancer, Patients Feel the Effects of Treatment Delays

  April 21, 2021: With medical visits picking up again among patients vaccinated against covid-19, health providers are starting to see the consequences of a year of pandemic-delayed preventive and emergency care as they find more advanced cancer and rotting and damag...Read more >

• News: COVID Scams Targeting Seniors Continue Despite a Majority of Seniors Being Vaccinated

  April 19, 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a parallel outbreak of coronavirus scams, many targeting older Americans. As of April 13, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had logged nearly 452,000 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and stimul...Read more >

• News: White House Budget Includes Increased Funding for SSA, Alzheimer’s Research

  April 19, 2021: President Biden unveiled his first budget request last Friday, and it calls for $14.2 billion in funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), an increase of 11% over the current budget. The budget includes $895 million in additional fundi...Read more >

• KHN: Biden Seeks $400 Billion to Buttress Long-Term Care. A Look at What’s at Stake.

  April 12, 2021: There’s widespread agreement that it’s important to help older adults and people with disabilities remain independent as long as possible. But are we prepared to do what’s necessary, as a nation, to make this possible? That’s the challenge...Read more >

• News: Biden Administration Announces 500,000 New HealthCare.gov Sign-Ups

  April 09, 2021: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials announced on Wednesday that, between mid-February and the end of March, more than 500,000 Americans had signed up for coverage on HealthCare.gov, the federal at the Affordable Care Act (ACA...Read more >

• News: American Rescue Plan Can Expand Medicaid in States That Have Refused Funds

  April 09, 2021: The newly enacted American Rescue Plan is dramatically shifting the debate in several states that have refused federal funding to expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. The new law includes additional funding for two years for new states th...Read more >

• News: Lobbyists Fight Democratic Proposals on Drug Pricing, Vaccine Access

  April 09, 2021: Pharmaceutical corporations are preparing for battle as President Biden considers whether to waive patent protections on vaccines to help other nations fight the coronavirus and House Democrats write legislation to require Medicare to negotiate the p...Read more >

• ‘I Can Breathe Again’: Older Adults Begin to Test Freedom After Covid Vaccinations

  April 05, 2021: With a mix of relief and caution, older adults fully vaccinated against covid-19 are moving out into the world and resuming activities put on hold during the pandemic. Many are making plans to see adult children and hug grandchildren they have...Read more >